Kauai: Wailua River Kayak & Sacred Falls Hike with Lunch

4.75

(771 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

Honestly, we almost missed the turnoff for the kayak launch — my friend was too busy arguing about sandwich choices (she swears PBJ is superior). When we finally got there, our guide, Kaleo, just grinned and handed us waterproof bags. “No worries, Hawaiian time,” he said. The Wailua River looked calm but alive somehow — birds chattering in the reeds, that thick green smell you only get in Kauai. I’d never kayaked before and kept zigzagging; Kaleo just paddled backwards beside me and told stories about ancient chiefs and how the river used to be the heart of everything here.

The hike started right where we pulled up — no big sign or anything, just a muddy trail leading into what felt like a greenhouse. Ferns brushed my legs and at one point I slipped (not gracefully) on a mossy rock. Our group laughed it off; apparently everyone gets at least one mud stripe as a souvenir. There were little streams crossing the path, cold water over my shoes. Kaleo pointed out wild ginger flowers and some tiny purple berries I can’t remember the name of now. It was humid but not heavy — more like you could feel things growing around you.

Then suddenly we heard it before we saw it: Sacred Falls. You know that sound when water hits stone from way up high? It echoed through everything. Some people swam right in but I hesitated — then did it anyway because when are you ever here again? The water was shockingly cold but after five minutes you don’t care anymore. Lunch was simple deli stuff (I caved and got turkey), pineapple so sweet it almost stung my tongue, chips that went soggy fast but nobody cared. We sat on rocks eating with our hands while Kaleo told us about old legends of drums at night along this river. I still think about that view behind the waterfall spray.